Since
my earliest memories, animals have been part of my life. I have built
this business with great homes that welcome pets. When a new homeowner
joins us, one of the first questions is “Should we allow pets?” By all
means! We love pets and their owners and work hard to make you all
happy.

More
and more families view their pets as full fledged family members – our
pets have their own special food, special beds, a basket full of toys
and a very special place in their human’s heart. This is Hunter, with
Ella, Tinker & Clara at Summer Haven >>>

Until
it’s time to go on vacation, that is! Then they’re consigned to “Watch
the fort!”, “We’re going to church!” - staying at home, while everyone
else hops off on a fun filled vacation at the beach – “What about me??”
May pet lovers hesitate to take their pets on vacation because they’re
unaware of the homes available that welcome pets. Others aren’t sure if
Nikki Snickers or Fuzzy Lumpkins will adapt to travel and a strange
home.

The
truth is planning a family pet into the family vacation is fairly easy
– especially at The Beach Cottages. Most pets respond well to travel –
and we respond well to traveling pets! Nearly every one of our homes is
pet friendly – owned by people who own and love their pets.

So,
if you’ve been longing to hit the trail with your canine or feline
companion – get packing! We’re here to help with your arrangements, pet
sitters, veterinarians, even Doggy Day Care – believe it or not! If
you’re traveling with your horses, we can help find suitable stabling
and guide you to some of the best trails in the state. There are bark
parks in our towns, county and state parks that welcome pets and places
we’ve found that are just wonderful for your kids and pets – long beach
and country walks – we’ll be happy to provide this information. But,
first let’s take care of some of the preliminaries ….

Should
your pet travel? Before making reservations, determine if your pet
should travel. Most can and do travel well. Others do not – You know
your ‘baby’ better than we do! If they’re not well, too young, pregnant
– well, maybe you should reconsider. Can he adjust to new places? Does
she get stressed out? If your pet isn’t up to the trip, and you’re
going to be worried about her the whole time you’re trying to rest and
relax – maybe it’s best to leave her home with a trusted pet sitter, or
in a well run kennel.

Even
if Nikki Snickers and Fluffy are seasoned travelers, are they going to
be happy if you’re spending the night at the 24 Hours of Daytona? If
you’re going to spend most of your days in this historic district of
St. Augustine? If your pet is happy under the beach umbrella at Summer
Haven, and that’s where you’re planning to spend your days (with your
good book and a cooler of margarita’s) well, then come on! We do have
pet sitters to visit the homes, walk and play with your pet, feed,
entertain, whatever – but just think about what you really want of
Fuzzy Lumpkins and you. We’ll work with you!

Can
your pet actively participate in your vacation? Lizards, hamsters,
birds – we welcome all – won’t be happy at the beach, or in the cobbled
streets of St. Augustine – These little fellows should probably stay
home. But, if you’re coming down for a season – bring them with you!

We welcome all shapes and sizes.We have had as many as five dogs with one family!

This is another of Ellie relaxing at the
Villa

<<These are Tina Valant- Siebelts’ Aussies, during one of their
many visits to Villa Villekula. Oh, Tina! http://tinavalant.com for extraordinary pet portraits!

FEES

We
do charge extra fees -$100 for each pet. Some of our homes are
restricted to small pets only. Some do not permit pets at all. So,
please call with any questions at 1.904.246.8181

We also have a pet friendly web site that lists all the pet friendly rentals:

God Bless Them!
For individuals with disabilities, who have service animals, we waive the
normal pet fee.Please let us know
how we can assist.

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

Please have an up-to-date vaccination record or health
certificate from your veterinarian.
Rabies, distemper and kennel cough vaccinations are a must.If your pet is taking medications be sure to bring these along with you, as well as a few days extra supply.
We have several vets in our area that we trust and like for any emergencies.Some even make house calls.

PET ETIQUETTE AT OUR HOMES

Never leave your pet alone in the house, unless in her crate, and only
for short periods. We’ve had the best behaved pets do ‘rude’ things
when left alone, to roam and not find their humans.

Most
of our homes have either wood or tile floors; a few rooms are carpeted.
As most of us are here for the beach, we ask that you wash Fluffy off
outside and keep her there until she is dry. Several homes have
hot/cold showers in the gardens to make this a more pleasant experience
for both of you.

Please do not welcome your pets onto our beds and furniture – we know you understand.

ALSO -

Do Not take me swimming in the pool.

Do Not leave me alone in the room to "ruff" up
housekeeping.

Do Not let me potty on flower beds and manicured
landscaping.

Do Not put Fluffy's Litter Box by the bed. Try the
Bathroom.

Do Not take me into the hotel restaurant to eat - but
do ask about our area restaurants that have outdoor areas and where your pets
may join you!

Leash
laws apply on our lanes and beaches. Please be respectful of others.
You will find at our Summer Haven beach, that there are extended dune
lines where there are virtually no other people or pets. Here we will
let our pups romp and play – but only if there’s no one to be bothered
by this freedom. We do keep the pups and kids and us off the dunes –
they’re delicate and precious – but the tidal beach provides ample room
for play.

We always keep a supply of bags at each home for scoops – please keep up with this on your walks, where ever you may be.

PACK AS CAREFULLY FOR YOUR PET AS YOU DO FOR YOURSELF

Be
sure to bring your leashes, dog towels, food and water bowls, and
scoopers. Our yards are quite well tended, but it’s your responsibility
to pick up after Fuzzy Lumpkins in both the yard, on the streets and on
the beach.

Does
Fluffy sleep in a kennel at home? - bring it along.

Be sure to have a current id tag and collar -

An ample
supply of food - should you bring a gallon or two of water from home?Don't forget the treats!

When the Fuzzy
and Snikkers have arrived at our home, you will find that your pet has the same
problems adjusting as you do. We must learn the way around the house and
neighborhood. Fuzzy must meet new neighbors, both animals and humans. Snikkers
must adjust to new water and climate, and must learn where he can and cannot
go.

It is advisable
to keep Fuzzy and Snikkers within the home until it realizes that this is a
HOME and not a temporary residence (even though it is). They may wander off and
try to find the former residence. This is especially true of cats; they should
be confined and a figure eight harness should be used for walks.

Make
Fuzzy and Snikkers feel at home by using familiar dishes, blanket, toys, and
other items. Check with me to determine any special problems your pets might
encounter, for example, the neighborhood grouch (we have one or two) and
welcome to Paradise - we do have snakes! Also, make a particular effort to keep
your dog inside on garbage collection day. There are better ways to meet your
neighbors than over a spilled garbage can.

If
you carefully plan your vacation with your "babies", you may make a smooth
transition from your old to new destination. But,
be prepared for the unexpected; it can and probably will happen.

*** State
Entry Requirements ***

If your destination is across state
lines, nearly every state has laws on the entry of animals, with the exception
of tropical fish. For information, call or write to the State Veterinarian,
State Department of Animal Husbandry, or other appropriate authority.

Interstate health certificates must
accompany dogs and horses entering nearly all states. About half have the same
requirements for other pets. In some cases, this certificate must be in the
hands of the state regulatory agency in advance of the entry.

All but four states require an
up-to-date rabies inoculation for dogs and many require it for cats. The rabies
tag must be securely attached to the pet's collar. Hawaii requires that cats
and dogs be quarantined for 120 days.

Some pets must have an entry permit
issued by the destination state's regulatory agency. Receipt of the interstate
health certificate may be required before the permit can be issued. Some states
limit the time during which the entry permit is valid.

A few states have border inspections of
all animals being transported; others have random inspection by highway patrol
officers. State agriculture representatives are usually present at airports to
inspect pets arriving by air.

For
more information on traveling with pets and specific state requirements, please
click to: